Fashion on the Ration: What to make?

So, while I still haven't had an opportunity to get pics of the dress and top I've made (bad Andi!), I did get all antsy and hit up a fabric sale. I know I've been trying to stick to stash only, but 50%-75% off was too tempting to resist.

So, what did I get you ask? Well, I exercised some self control and only picked up two pieces of fabric.

The first was a total impulse buy. I have no immediate plans for it, but do have an idea of what I'd like to make with it (probably a blouse of some sort). I got it for $3/m!!!! (Originally $10/m)

It would be super cute with some sort of red accent...

And the second is this cotton fabric, which I couldn't decide if it was granny or cute. It certainly was an excellent deal though. $3/m, originally $17/m!

I want to make a dress out of this, but am unsure of which dress to make. I have a couple patterns on hand that this might work for:

What do you think? McCalls M6554 or M6600? Or do you have an alternate suggestion?

While this gets figured out, I'll keep working on a dress that I've already started (teaser to be posted tomorrow)

Fashion on the Ration Stats!!

Coupons Used: 18 - Coupons Remaining: 48

Projects Completed:
Old Timey Tractor Dress - to be posted as soon as I get some pics - 0 coupons
Red Gingham Shirt - to be posted as soon as I get some pics - 0 coupons

Items Purchased:
Black and Grey Striped Sweater - 5 Coupons
6.5 metres of cotton fabric - 13 Coupons

Awesome Score:
Brand new Docs given to me by a friend - 0 Coupons

WIP Wednesday: July 18, 2012

Wow! I haven't done one of these in a while! Let's just dive straight in, shall we?

My current at work project (for knitting on my lunch hour) as another sweet little baby sweater.

I had lofty dreams of knitting one in colours to represent each of the houses in Harry Potter (yeah, I'm a geek), and this will be representative of Ravenclaw.

I've already got the one for Slytherin finished, I just need to get some buttons for it, so I won't be showing it off until I get that done.

On the sewing table, I won't say what it is just yet, but I'll give a little sneak peak:

This cotton is absolutely divine and I wish I had more of it! But alas, this will be the only project I get to make with it, so I guess I'll have to make it count :)

Check out more WIPs with Tami's Amis!

Have a great Wednesday everyone!

Tour de Fleece: Week Two Roundup

Last week, I didn't do nearly as much spinning as the previous week, mainly due to some excitement about sewing a new dress (it's almost finished!) and it being too hot to function. So when I wasn't sewing, I spun less and knit more (socks!) to try to move as little as possible (this summer, we are living sans A/C).

This is what was accomplished:

Beautiful Merino, which can be found in my new shop here

And still on the bobbin:

Alpaca!!!

This is the first time I've ever spun 100% Alpaca. And you know what? It's everything I dreamed it would be and more! I have the feeling it may beat out BFL as my favourite fibre to spin (but I won't make a final decision on that until I've spun up at least 8 oz of it).

The Tour de Fleece wraps up on Sunday, and I'm losing 2 days of spinning as I'll be away visiting the in-laws, so I guess I'll have to spin like mad in the meantime to make up for that. I guess that's my cue to stop typing and get treadling. Watch for the final roundup next week!

Sock knitting isn't sewing

And neither is knitting hats, or spinning, but alas, I've been doing more of those things and less of the sewing than I should be. On the up-side, I've finally finished a pair of socks that I first mentioned back in April. Yep, these socks took me FOREVER. But now I'm on a roll! All I want to do is knit socks! But I can't, as I have several other things on the go that I want to finish before I start anything new (like that dress that's almost done...).

Pair #2 of Mr. Social's 12 pairs in 2012 are finished. I'm really glad he likes these colours too, as beige is a little too vanilla for me (I like my socks to the bright and bold, eye searing colours).

The pattern I used for these is Wendy D. Johnson's Diagonal Lace Socks, from her book Socks from the Toe Up. That's right, lace socks for a dude. But you know what? He likes them, and he's happy with them, and he'll wear them, just like the ones I knit for him before.

Wearing lace socks do not make you less of a man

So, that's 2 down, 10 to go. I can totally do this...

Tour de Fleece: Week One Roundup

June 30 marked the first day of the Tour de Fleece, an annual spin-along during the Tour de France. They spin, we spin, it's a real spinning themed spin-along.

While I haven't watched any of the race (we don't have cable), I have done a fair bit of spinning for it. Here's the yarn I have completed so far:

This yarn was on the bobbins and needed to be cleared before the race began

I started this the day before TdF began, but finished it up during TdF

Then I moved on to a British Massam Wool, Merino, Alpaca, Tussah Silk, and sparkle blend

Some Doctor Who themed BFL was next

And finally, some of the softest merino ever!!

I have another one that is currently drying and awaiting it's photo shoot, but it will have to wait for it's debut next week.

Old Timey Tractor Fabric

So, I picked up this fabric prior to starting the Fashion on the Ration challenge (which I still haven't finished anything for....Bad Andi!) and have been hemming and hawing over what to make with it.

Well, as of last night, it is destined to become a dress. I need to pick through my fabric stash to see what black fabric I have on hand for some accent bits. I'm hoping to have this dress done soon so I can finally post some progress on the FotR thing.

Have a great week everyone!

A quick update...

Hello my lovelies! It seems that with the business of the summer season I haven't had a chance to post in a while. I also haven't had a chance to do much sewing or knitting either (but, I have been spinning up a storm!). Although, Mr. Social did receive another pair of shorts (I'll have to get some pics and post about those soon).

I do have news though, really happy and exciting news!

Mr. Social and I are getting married!

That's right folks, he liked it so he put a ring on it ;)

Of course, this has meant a flurry of wedding planning the last couple weeks, since we want to get married next summer (you wouldn't even believe how many venues in Toronto are already completely booked for summer 2013 and already booking for 2014!!).

So, I guess I have a good excuse for my lack of sewing lately. I will, however, have to get back at it soon, as I think I may make my own dress for the wedding, which may or may not be the most insane decision I've ever made.

I promise to get back to a more regular routine of making things and sharing with you all. I also promise to share the trials and triumphs when it comes to making my wedding dress.

Have a great weekend everyone!